Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo ❮❮ 15

Chapel of Gandahara
Hor Phra Nak and Hor
9 0
Phra Monthien Tham
Buddha
Flanking the Wihan Yot are the Hor In the southeast corner of the
Phra Nak, a royal mausoleum with temple compound stands a small
urns that hold the ashes of members chapel with beautifully painted
of the royal family, and the Hor Phra doors. Usually locked, it contains
Monthien Tham, a library that has an image, used in the Royal
particularly fine doors inlaid with Ploughing Ceremony (see p64), of
mother-of-pearl. the Buddha calling down the rains.
MYTHICAL CREATURES IN THAI TEMPLES
Before visitors get to see the beautifully TOP 10
crafted Buddha images that adorn the wihan THAI MYTHICAL
and bot of any Thai temple compound, CREATURES
including Wat Phra Kaeo, they have to pass a 1 Naga (serpent-like
panoply of fearsome creatures that act as protector of the Buddha)
temple guardians. Most of these beings are 2 Singha (lion-like
from the legendary Himaphan Forest, a kind temple guardian)
of Buddhist Shangri-La somewhere in the 3 Yaksha (giant)
Himalayan Mountains. These include singha, 4 Garuda (half-man,
lion-like figures that sit atop gateposts, and half-bird)
yaksha, grimacing giants that tower above 5 Erawan (three-headed
entrances to the compound. The steps elephant)
leading up to the wihan and bot are usually
flanked by multiheaded naga, serpents that 6 Kinnari (half-woman,
half-bird)
according to legend sheltered the Buddha
from a storm while he was meditating. The 7 Aponsi (half-woman,
half-lion)
hongsa, a swan-like entity, is often seen
perched on the apex of a temple roof. The 8 Hongsa (swan-like
figure)
kinnari – half-woman, half-bird – is seen in
wall niches or skipping down temple eaves. 9 Makara (part
crocodile, part elephant,
part serpent)
Statues of Yakshas, demon giants, stand guard 10 Mom (dragon-like
at many Thai temples. temple guardian)

014-015_Top_10_Bangkok.indd 15 22/05/2017 12:12